Singapore’s skyline is a photographer’s playground—towering skyscrapers, lush greenery, and futuristic designs blend to create one of the most captivating cityscapes on the planet. From shimmering reflections over Marina Bay to secret garden vantages, the Lion City offers an exhilarating mix of concrete, steel, and nature, perfect for capturing in breathtaking shots.
In this guide, we’ll explore 13 spectacular spots—each with its flavor, charm, and story. You’ll get practical tips on how to reach them, where to stay nearby, and what else to snap while you’re there. Whether you’re chasing sunsets, blue-hour glows, or nighttime sparkles, you’ll find the perfect backdrop here.
Plus, we’ve curated an exclusive section featuring top hotel picks and unforgettable experiences (with affiliate links) so you can book, stay, and shoot like a travel pro. Let’s roll!
Top Hotels
- Marina Bay Sands is legendary for its rooftop infinity pool and sweeping city panoramas.
- Mandarin Oriental Singapore – prime waterfront elegance with photo-worthy balconies.
- Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore – soaring high above the skyline for classic skyline shots.
- Heritage Condo – cozy stay in Tanjong Pagar offering a peek into local life.
Top Experiences
- Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck Tour
- Gardens by the Bay Supertrees Canopy Walk
- Singapore Flyer Entry Ticket with Photo Tips
1. Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
How to Get to Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Hop on the Downtown (Blue) Line to Bayfront MRT. A breezy walk through The Shoppes brings you to the SkyPark’s elevator bank—ride up and emerge into a panoramic wonderland perched 200 meters above the city.
Where to Stay
Staying at the Marina Bay Sands isn’t just convenient—it places you at the prime time for sunrise. Step out onto the rooftop terrace for reflections in the pool, or frame the skyline from your suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
Best Things to Do in Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Start your session at golden hour, watching city lights give way to pastel skies. Walk the deck, capture silhouettes, and stay beyond dusk for the nightly light-and-water Spectra show over Marina Bay. Grab a drink at Cé La Vi—the cocktails and views go hand-in-hand for nighttime photography.
2. Gardens by the Bay
How to Get to Gardens by the Bay
Bayfront MRT on the Downtown or Circle Line drops you at the doorstep. Follow the lush signs past Marina Bay Sands, and soaring Supertrees and tropical paths will soon surround you.
Where to Stay
The nearby Mandarin Oriental and Swissôtel The Stamford ensure you’re a short stroll away—perfect for early entry, evening light shows, or just mid-day green escape sessions.
Best Things to Do in Gardens by the Bay
Wander the OCBC Skyway for jaw-dropping aerial Supertree and skyline interplay. Dusk brings built-in lighting that puts your LED photos on point. Inside the cooled domes, capture the reflections of glasshouses amid towering orchids. Tip: low lighting in Cloud Forest demands fast glass—up your ISO and shoot handheld.
3. Merlion Park
How to Get to Merlion Park
Disembark at Raffles Place MRT; a gentle walk along the Cavenagh Bridge brings you to one of history’s most famous camera-hogs—the 8.6m tall Merlion statue.
Where to Stay
The Fullerton Hotel and Mandarin Oriental put you front row for early dawn or late dusk shoots—plus easy access to Postcard-perfect frames.
Best Things to Do in Merlion Park
Shoot water streaming from the lion’s jaws into Marina Bay—excellent with long-exposure blur. Try low shots, including the Hong Kong-style skyline and the Singapore Flyer in the background. Later, pivot for blue hour portraits and harbor lights.
4. Singapore Flyer
How to Get to the Singapore Flyer
Step off at Promenade MRT or Bayfront, then follow signage to Pier 02—you’ll soon be underneath the world’s second-largest observation wheel.
Where to Stay
Swissôtel The Stamford and Mandarin Oriental both offer convenient locations and are loaded with coastline vantage points.
Best Things to Do in Singapore Flyer
The ride lasts 30 minutes—golden hour is ideal for taking in a sweeping panorama beyond Singapore’s boundaries. On the ground, experiment with backlit shots against tall buildings. Using a small aperture, freshen your night images with sparkling LED patterns.
5. Marina Promenade
How to Get to Marina Promenade
Follow pedestrian paths from Promenade MRT—they wind along the Bay, passing the Flyer, Esplanade, and floating platforms.
Where to Stay
Stay at Mandarin Oriental or pick one of the chic VRBO apartments in the Marina district for a walk-and-shoot lifestyle.
Best Things to Do in Marina Promenade
With unobstructed waterfront, it’s ideal for reflection shots. At sunset, position your camera to capture the fiery skies reflected in the water below. Consider a four-second exposure or longer to achieve water swirl effects. Try using partial black and white to bring out the contrast in structural shapes.
6. Bay East Garden
How to Get to Bay East Garden
Ride the Circle Line to the Stadium or the Bayfront. Cross Jubilee Bridge by foot or bike, where you’ll land in a wide-open garden space across from the CBD.
Where to Stay
Swissôtel The Stamford remains central. For a more local vibe, a Heritage Condo via VRBO in Tanjong Pagar gives a cool residential-based base.
Best Things to Do in Bay East Garden
This laid-back garden is all about panoramic framing—open lawns meet tall skyscrapers in elegant balance. Grab sunrise shots with silhouettes of grass against pastel skies. Midday, package green-white-blue skyline in HDR—easy-to-set tripod-required shot.
7. Pinnacle@Duxton Skybridge
How to Get to Pinnacle@Duxton
From Raffles Place or Tanjong Pagar MRT, walk toward Duxton Road Estate. Take the residential elevator to the public skybridge on the 50th floor.
Where to Stay
Stay in Tanjong Pagar’s boutique VRBO apartment or a Clarke Quay riverside condo—both give quick entry and local eats after the shoot.
Best Things to Do in Pinnacle@Duxton
This community-housing skybridge overlooks flat rooftops and, in the distance, high-rises—juxtaposing everyday Singapore with skyline glamour. Frame foreground laundry lines or playgrounds for storytelling. Early mornings avoid the crowd and haze.
8. Helix Bridge
How to Get to Helix Bridge
Take the Downtown or Circle Line to Promenade MRT. Walk upwards heading toward Marina Bay Sands—you’ll hit this sinuous steel walkway linking the bayfront to landmark luxury.
Where to Stay
Swissôtel The Stamford makes early morning arrivals a breeze. Additionally, Heritage Condo offers a quirky local pad feel nearby, as well as cooler streets for a break between shots.
Best Things to Do in Helix Bridge
Aim to shoot during golden hour—the bridge shines under warm light. As darkness sets in, the LEDs bring out the double-helix structure. Highlight contrast: frame circular skyscrapers through bridge curves. Pro tip: Use a small aperture for star-like LED bursts.
9. Mount Faber
How to Get to Mount Faber
Take HarbourFront MRT, transfer to the cable car, or hike the Southern Ridges trail—the summit walkway leads to spacious platforms with panoramic views.
Where to Stay
Pick a HarbourFront apartment via VRBO for early shoots and cable-car runs without commute stress.
Best Things to Do in Mount Faber
On good-weather days, the downtown skyline merges seamlessly into Sentosa’s lush greens and the Indonesian mountains beyond. Sunset here is cinematic—boats glide through the Bay, lights come alive. Cable car cables make perfect leading lines—grab quick bursts before the sun dips.
10. Fort Canning Hill
How to Get to Fort Canning Hill
Disembark at Clarke Quay or City Hall, then follow signboards uphill through enchanting colonial-era landscaping to the summit viewpoints.
Where to Stay
Clarke Quay apartments or City Hall boutique hotels place you in a vibrant urban cluster amid restaurants and riverfront life.
Best Things to Do in Fort Canning Hill
Thick foliage opens between trees to CBD visuals. Try framing shots where nature overtakes pavement, juxtaposing old roots with modern design. Ideal for lifestyle photography: joggers, reading couples, musicians busking—summoning local atmosphere.
11. Botanic Gardens (National Orchid Garden)
How to Get to Botanic Gardens
Hop on the Circle Line to Botanic Gardens MRT. From there, stroll through UNESCO heritage trails until you hit the conservatory gardens.
Where to Stay
Hotels along Orchard Road—think Marriott or boutique stays—for an easy gateway to both gardens and cafés with city-adjacent charm.
Best Things to Do in Botanic Gardens
Flowers for macro, pathways for wide frames, towering trees for overhead shots—this green giant sits right behind the city. Add bikes or park benches for compositional anchors. Early hours avoid crowds and catch dew-bejeweled petals.
12. Japanese Cemetery Park
How to Get to Japanese Cemetery Park
Take the Circle Line to Potong Pasir; then, walk or take a short bus ride to reach this peaceful cemetery nestled among suburban foliage.
Where to Stay
Select residences around Potong Pasir or Woodlands—quiet neighborhoods with soft morning light and local cafés.
Best Things to Do in Japanese Cemetery Park
Vivid bougainvillea drapes around headstones, creating natural arches—pull back for deep, reflective photos. Sand benches add compositional stillness. Tip: Use a soft focus to enhance an ethereal mood.
13. Arab Street & Haji Lane
How to Get to Arab Street & Haji Lane
Hop off at Bugis or Lavender MRT. Wander through Kampong Glam, and suddenly you’re amid colorful street murals, fabric shops, and traditional shop-houses.
Where to Stay
Boutique hotels in Kampong Glam put you in the heart of history, music, and morning sunlight spilling through archways.
Best Things to Do in Arab Street & Haji Lane
Shot variety is king—neon signs, fabric-draped canopies, coffee shop interiors, graffiti murals, and mosque domes. Try lifestyle portraits against mural walls, café chalkboards, and retro vehicles. Midday sun pops colors; evening string lights bring a magical glow.
Final Thoughts
Singapore has it all: shimmering skies, leafy retreats, industrial elegance, vibrant alleys, and calm sanctuaries. The magic lies in combining tourist favorites, such as Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, with lesser-known gardens and heritage locales. The result? A visual symphony that tells the story of the Lion City with light, life, and layers. Book your stay, plot your shoot times, pack smart, and get ready to unveil a Singapore that dazzles you—and every double-tap you earn.